Internacional Program
Laboratory Support

We improve access to healthcare and the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations by strengthening clinical laboratories to correctly diagnose and treat patients.

Proximity

People living in remote areas can access high quality diagnosis without having to travel many miles.

Equity

More equal opportunities for underprivileged populations, since they attain equal access to healthcare.

Speed, Quality, and Reliability

Greater agility in diagnosis and treatment. Use of standardized techniques and quality controls for checking results.

Since 2008, Probitas has supported 40 laboratories that enhance access to accurate and reliable diagnosis for over 1 million people across 16 countries

The program runs in 5 phases:

Phase 1: Needs Assessment

During the first phase, the Probitas team visits the health center and assesses the situation of the laboratory along with local institutions, laboratory staff, and the health authorities. We jointly identify the needs of the laboratory service at each level of the healthcare system, in terms of physical infrastructure, diagnostic equipment, the level of staff training, and other matters such as access to drinking water and electricity.

Phase 2: Laboratory Adaptation

The second phase involves improving basic infrastructure, (water and electricity installations, work surfaces, waste management area), and supplying the necessary equipment for the basic diagnosis of prevalent diseases in each region. Engineers and other experts play a crucial role at this stage.

Phase 3: Training and Management

The goal of the third phase is to educate and train the laboratory staff on essential diagnostic techniques, (hematology, biochemistry, and basic microbiology), handling and storing samples, laboratory management, and waste handling and disposal. Probitas offers them the chance to install ARIS software (Analytical Request Information System) for managing patients, analyses, and laboratory tests.

Phase 4: Community Health

In the fourth phase, we try to promote transversal healthcare actions with the support of the community and local organizations. Health education is provided, and awareness is raised regarding different topics such as maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health, prevalent disease prevention, sanitation and access to drinking water, and waste management.

Phase 5: Final Assessment

In the last stage of the project, we run an external assessment on the impact and sustainability of the project once the laboratory has been in operation for 24 months.

Current Projects

Laboratory in Samburu-Kenya

The rehabilitation of three laboratories in Samburu County in northern Kenya is being carried out with Persons of Influence, a local entity, and the Ministry of Health in an area with a mostly nomadic population and scarce resources for health facilities.

The project aims to strengthen diagnostic health services and improve access to health care for these marginalised communities in the Samburu County. Three laboratories will be rehabilitated and furnished with diagnostic equipment. The pharmacy will also be refurbished in two centres: Kisima Health Centre and Archer's Post Subcounty Hospital. Technical staff will also be trained.

The project also foresees a cross-cutting community intervention with 10 mobile clinics bringing diagnosis, treatment and awareness to communities without access to health centres.

Laboratory in Gambia

This project foresees the rehabilitation of three diagnostic laboratories at Birkama Hospital, and two health centres Birkama Ba and Farato in the West Coast and Central River regions, in collaboration with the Spanish Red Cross, the Gambia Red Cross Society and local and national health authorities.

In addition to improving diagnostic capacities, the project recognises that effective disease control and reducing pressure on health services requires strong prevention strategies at community level. The project therefore integrates a community health component aimed at raising awareness of disease prevention, promoting healthy habits and increasing the use of available health services.

This dual approach - strengthening health laboratories and empowering communities - will contribute to a more resilient health system, ultimately reducing the prevalence of preventable diseases and improving overall health outcomes in Gambia.

Community health in Chemolingot-Kenya

In 2024, in collaboration with Kaperur CBO, a local entity, we implemented a community health project as part of the laboratory strengthening project at Chemolingot Hospital and two health centres in the area. Nine mobile clinics were conducted with the main objective of early identification and treatment of the three most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in this region: visceral leishmaniasis, trachoma and snakebites.

In six of these mobile clinics, 1,595 children who are under the age of five were screened and an alarming 23.7 per cent of severe malnutrition was found. In 2025, a three-month emergency intervention will be implemented to provide nutritional and therapeutic supplements for these children, and for lactating and pregnant women at risk of malnutrition.

On the other hand, numerous cases of female genital mutilation (FGM), a deeply rooted cultural practice in Kenya, were also detected, affecting thousands of girls and women despite legal prohibitions and increasing awareness campaigns. A pilot project has been launched in two communities with the aim of raising awareness of the dangers of this practice. The novelty of the approach is the active integration of community leaders in the design of the actions.

Laboratory in Kenya

Three laboratories in Baringo Country, North-West Kenya will be refurbished in collaboration with Kaperur, a local organization, and the Ministry of Health in a region with a primarily nomadic Pokot population, where the healthcare system receives scarce resources.

The appraisal of the situation took place in February 2023 and noted that the laboratory equipment in the operating area was running at 28% capacity; as such, most of the diagnoses were based on symptomatology, and no laboratory tests were performed on the patients. Refurbishment works started on the first laboratory in the Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital; afterward, work will begin on the rural health centers in Kolowa and Churo.

The project is also set to involve transversal community-oriented actions in mobile clinics that will provide diagnosis, treatment, and outreach for the Pokot people. A fistula surgery course will be run for medical professionals, and the plan is to perform 20 operations in the region.

Ver proyectos finalizados

Internacional ProgramLaboratory Support